SLO County cities meeting water use mandates

November 2, 2015

Six of the seven cities in San Luis Obispo County are meeting their water conservation targets set by California regulators, according to data released by the State Water Resources Control Board. One city, Grover Beach, did not submit its water usage in time, according to the state report.

In April, Governor Jerry Brown signed an executive order mandating cities and towns in California cut their water use by an average of 25 percent compared to 2013 levels. State regulators then set target conservation amounts for each city.

Last week, the state water board released a report stating each city’s water savings over the period of June 15 through Sept. 15.

In comparison to 2013 levels, cities in San Luis Obispo County reduced their usage by the following amounts:

Arroyo Grande: 35.6 percent

Atascadero: 32.9 percent

Morro Bay: 18.2 percent

Paso Robles: 33 percent

Pismo Beach: 24.9 percent

San Luis Obispo: 22.6 percent

Statewide, Californians reduced their water usage by 26.1 percent. However, several water districts missed their targets by considerable amounts.

The state imposed $61,000 fines apiece on Beverly Hills, Indio, Redlands and the Coachella Valley Water District. State regulators are threatening cease and desist orders and $10,000 a day fines if the violators do not conserve more water.

Other cities also missed their targets by considerable amounts, but regulators say they are targeting districts with the funds to achieve significant water savings.

7 Comments

Let’s see how this works –
1. You remove your lawn or let it die,
2. You stop showering every day – maybe cut back to 2 or 3 a week
3. You buy large containers to catch rain water (when it rains),
4. You cut back on laundry
5. You stop washing dishes every day – use paper plates and disposable plastic ware.
6. Only wash your car once every 3 months.

The state (and your local government) applauds you for being outstanding citizens for your conservation efforts – THEN

You get charged higher water rates. And we love it!!

Maybe we should all just move to Beverly Hills or Indio – use the water you want – green grass, showers every day, clean cars, etc. At least when you are charged more to pay
for the fines, you have the enjoyment of green lawns and clean bodies.

No. That’s a simplistic and incomplete analysis of the numbers. Morro Bay residents have been big on water conservation for a long time, and so there were fewer opportunities to cut back even more. It’s much easier for the water wasters to find ways to reduce usage.

My car is filthy…my lawn is dead…and I’ve reduced my shower time so much that I’m searching for better deodorants…Plus it’s been hotter than hell in Morro Bay this summer. Liberals and conservatives do have one thing in common…they both sweat. lol